THE COLLECTOR OPENS OFFLINE

Online shop The Collector opened its offline doors on Friday the 30^st of March. Located in an old photostudio, feeling lofty and slightly industrial, yet stylish and individual, it feels like you walked into a high street boutique in New York.

Not only the shop's design has its individual style, also the concept store's clothing and accessories got their own stamp. Like owner Suzette van Dam says herself: 'We don't follow trends because they're cool, but because we like them'. That's something you can see. The Collector sells brands that are not particulary well known, but they are all high quality and very stylish. Buying clothing like this gives The Collector an eclectic look, which I like a lot. The newly opened store as well as the clothing are really refreshing and an addition to what Amsterdam already has to offer.

At the opening the tunes were dancy. I'm a foody, so what needs a shout out are the event's bites. They were heavenly; not only for the mouth, but also for the eye. True culinary jewels from Food Jazz & DJs. I loved it! It was the perfect match with the store's atmosphere. Sipping a drink, biting a bite and doing a little dance at this cool new store got me fresh for the weekend.

Tucked away at the Eerste v/d Helststraat in Amsterdam we got a new international concept store. Not only online, but now offline as well. Definitely one to remember! Check it out soon.

On Friday the 6^th of April The Collector will open its doors for everybody.

To visit The Collector online click here.

VINTAGE REDS & COBALT BLUE

It's spring, so bring that colour on even if it's slightly and even if our big yellowish friend isn't shining. Today I decided to dress in cobalt and vintage reds. Obvious not matching colours, but that's the secret.

I love bordeaux red and every shade of it. A bag, scarfs, T's, pants: I got it all in the vintage variation of the colour of love and lust. To live my outfit up I added some cobalt to it. And, of course, a scarf. Especially in the summer I'm crazy about scarves. It's perfect when it's getting chilly at the end of sunny spring day and it just makes your look more you. I have to admit: I got a scarf addiction. More about that shortly. For now: true blue baby I love a vintage red you.

 SUNGLASSES KSUBI

SCARF ZARA

WHITE T AMERICAN VINTAGE

JACKET ZARA

CARDIGAN ACNE

BAG ZARA

PANTS CLOSED

SHOES ZARA
SKULL BRACELET VAN RYCKE
ROSE BRACELET EENVOUD

THE HEAVENLY BEACH

It's spring, summer is coming up and I'm feeling so damn beachy. That's probably why my thoughts keep drifting off to a beach I visited some time ago. Not just a beach, Whitehaven Beach.

Whitehaven Beach is the jewel in the crown of the Whitsunday Islands. Without a doubt Whitehaven is one of world's most stunning beaches. It's located in Australia's Great Barrier Reef at Whitsunday Island. The breathtaking snow white beach got you 'beachstruck' in the glimpse of an eye.

With its crystal clear water, ultra clean sand and a 7 km long stretch you will find yourself in paradise at Whitehaven Beach. Although Whitehaven Beach is a well known beach among travellers, it's never crowed. Probably because it's not that easy to go there. It's still a hidden treasure. And gosh, we love treasures. Don't we?!

You can do some amazing snorkeling there as well!

Whitehaven is known for its sparkling white sand. The sand at the beach consists of 98 percent pure white silica, which gives the sand its crispy white colour. The sand is so clean and pure that you can scrub your skin with it and it will feel as soft as a baby bum. You can even polish up your jewellery with it. And I can tell you: the jeweller will be jealous of your swag's shininess.

A visit to this amazing beach is a feast for your senses, makes you feel panache and feeds you with lots of elan. You just have to go there once in your life!

A HAUTE JAPANESE HOT SPOT: ZUMA

The modern Japanese cuisine at its best. That's what Zuma delivers. Zuma brings a sophisticated twist on the traditional Izakaya style of informal dining. The Japanese menu is extensive and everyhting on it sounds too good to be true, so it might take a while once you've decided what to take.

I myself visited Zuma in Hong Kong and London and since then it is one of my favourite restaurants in the world. Besides the two cities I just mentioned the restaurant is also situated in Dubai, Miami and Bankok and from mid May also in Beirut. In all settled cities Zuma is a resounding success.

The sleek interior consisting of lots of glass, steel and light wood gives this global hot spot an open, fresh, airy, modern and chic ambiance. Because of the spacious design Zuma feels impressively interactive, which is one of the reasons the bar is always crowded, every night of the week. After dining the elan crowd settles down at Zuma's bar area for some tasty cocktails. Not feeling cocktailish? Treat yourself to one of the 40 sakes Zuma has to offer.

For those who want more privacy, Zuma also offers Private Rooms, where select groups could dine and have their own private affair.

I'm really fond of Hong Kong's Zuma. Dining here is perfect, because it's located next to The Landmark, which is one of the most prestigious shopping malls in Hong Kong. Starving from shopping - no matter if it's window or real shopping - you can sit down and enjoy the exquisite food provided by Zuma's skilled chefs.

My menu's favourite at Zuma is the Zuma Nigiri Sushi (with trufle, plum, wagyu beef and caviar). Can't decide what to order? Indulge in the new tasting menu. This menu exists of six or seven courses that includes miso soup, maki, sashimi, lobster, black cod and more. It all comes with fresh wasabi, grated at your table. Not to forget: take at least one of the desserts. They are all unbeatable delicious!

Martin Archer | Asia-Bars.com

At Zuma it's all about detail, whether it's in dining requests, food quality, ambiance, design or attentive staff. Hopefully Zuma will establish itself in Amsterdam one day. Thinking of this makes my mouth water.

Visit Zuma virtually by clicking here.

IT'S A BOW-TIE THING

Let's celebrate the bow-tie! I Love bow-ties, with a capital 'L'. I try to wear them as often as possible. The bow-tie suits the elan living perfectly and wearing one you look more panache than ever. It simply perks up your outfit. The bow-tie is something you can wear all year long and not only during a special occasion. The big runway shows in the fashion capitals of the world - especially the ones in Milan and NYC - show you this: bow-ties are there to be worn. Every season.

Antonio Azzuolo

Allesandro Garofalo | Style.com

Gucci

Monica Feudi | Style.com

Billy Reid

Filippo Fior | Style.com

Dolce & Gabbana

Yannis Vlamos | Style.com



Michael Bastian

Amanda De Simone | Style.com

Roberto Cavalli

Marcus Tondo | Style.com

In the 17^th century Croat mercenaries used scarves around their neck to hold the opening of their shirt together. The upper class from France soon adopted this habit and flourished around town. France, as a leader in fashion, showed everybody how 'chique' a bow-tie is. The bow-tie was born and developed to the one it is nowadays.

Every now and then a woman got to go in the back of that closet and pull out that freakum dress. Well, men out there, a good suit is the male version of that freakum dress and there is nothing better than to combine that suit with a bow-tie. A bow-tie is like the heels under a freakum dress. It is that crispy layer topping your crème brûlée.

Not in the mood for a suit? Simply add your bow-tie to a casual outfit like I often do. Take a look at my bow-tie wearings.

Wearing a bow-tie is a way of expressing an aggressive lack of concern for what other people think. Just do what you have to do. Don't let anybody tell you you can't. One of the greatest pleasures in life is doing what people say you cannot do. 

A bow-tie stands for subdued hysteria. Wearing one is like you're performing Beyoncé's 'Crazy in Love', without dancing. It is as if you are moving like Jagger, without moving. It's like saying a lot, without saying one single thing.

And now work that bow-tie!